A raven’s disturbingly fixed stare at a coffee shop brings up thoughts of Edgar Allan Poe's poem and Alan Parsons Project’s music. In both the poem and the song, refrain of "nevermore" drones on incessantly without regard to what’s going on around it. Some clients take a "nevermore" approach when dealing with their attorneys. They research an issue, perhaps ask AI for a contract draft, or use a standard form and ask an attorney to approve it. But standard forms and AI can produce "standard" results, and most business relationships aren't standard. It's the attorney who adds the art and experience necessary to create a customized solution that creates a solution that meets the client’s goals.
Read MoreBeing able to work in a variety of environments enables employees to be available when needed without sacrificing family life. Plus, it’s terrific for mental health to be able to work outside while sipping a cup of coffee and enjoying the morning sun and a gentle breeze.
Read MoreMany people do not pay attention to signature blocks or how a contract is signed. The signature may not match the signature block or the signature block, itself may not be correct. Sometimes, parties never assemble a fully-signed contract and are at a loss when the contract must be produced in a dispute.
Read MoreRecently, I attended a concert given by a major symphony orchestra. During a quiet section in the music I heard an unusual sound–like air being blown through a straw–loudly. Looking at the stage, I saw the source of the sound.
Read MoreBeginning in the late 20th century, the musical world was captivated by Mamoru Samuragochi, a deaf man who, like Beethoven, composed classical music. Audiences from Japan to New York celebrated his soulful music and flamboyant style. His music was so spectacular that he was celebrated as “Japan’s Beethoven.”
Read MoreThe Lark Quartet recently announced that after 34 years, it would disband at the end of its 2018/19 season. Business owners similarly may decide to sell, transfer, or close their businesses. Business owners, also, have different goals and motivations for these decisions.
Read MoreIt’s understandable how someone might leave a shopping bag or a small item like keys or a wallet in a taxi. However, in 2008, violinist Phillip Quint left his multi-million dollar Stradivari in a New York City taxi. The taxi driver discovered the instrument and returned it. Like musicians, business owners sometimes forget important tasks relating to their business entities. Although some forgotten tasks may be correctable, others are not. By forgetting to pay attention to their business entities, an owner can lose it forever.
Read MoreOur son is the fourth generation to play a violin made in the early 20th century by Prague luthier Janek (John) Juzek. When researching Juzek’s history, I found it interesting to read that he backdated the labels in his instruments. They included his own name but a completion date about five years earlier than the actual date the instrument was completed. Backdating violin labels was not uncommon, and it was not illegal. However, backdating legal documents is another matter. Backdating legal documents is frequently permissible. However, under other circumstances, it can be fraudulent or illegal.
Read MoreJohann Sebastian Bach served in the courts of the nobility and for the church in Leipzig. He wrote his music to meet the needs of those who hired him. Little of his music was published during his lifetime, and he likely had little expectation that his music would survive him. Unlike Bach, most business owners expect that their businesses will survive them. Careful business succession planning can make the difference between a business becoming multi-generational family operation and failing after becoming mired in in-fighting or disputes among heirs.
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